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Plymouth shooting

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: My rt hon Friend the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire (Chris Philp) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:On 12 August 2021 Jake Davison shot and killed his mother, Maxine Davison, Lee and Sophie Martin, Stephen Washington and Kate Shepherd, using his licensed shotgun. He then shot and killed himself. This was an horrific incident, and as the jury to the Inquest into these deaths returned their findings of unlawful killings yesterday afternoon, our thoughts once again go out to the families and friends of the victims, and to the whole of the local community in Keyham. It is anticipated that the Coroner will be issuing Prevention of Future Deaths reports shortly in which recommendations will be made. If, as expected, the Home Office receives a report, we will of course consider the report and recommendations very carefully and respond to the Coroner.

Department for Transport

Rail Update

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: My Honourable Friend, the Minister of State for Transport (Huw Merriman), has made the following Ministerial Statement:Our railways play an important role in connecting communities and keeping the economy moving. Whether it’s traveling to a medical appointment, school, work or to visit a relative, for many, our railways are a lifeline. Over the last year, passengers, through no fault of their own, have been subject to severe disruption on the railways due to sustained industrial action. This has had a nationwide impact. It has stopped key workers getting to work, children going to school, and restricted people’s access to essential services such as hospital care. The government recognises the importance of workers’ ability to take strike action, and this will be protected. Recent industrial action, though, has demonstrated how strikes disproportionately impact people from accessing the services they require. The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which is currently before Parliament, will set a legislative framework to balance workers’ ability to strike with the public’s ability to get to work and access vital services. Today, I am pleased to confirm that a consultation on setting minimum service levels for passenger rail has opened and will run for 12 weeks from 20 February to 15 May. The department is seeking views from the public, from the rail sector, trade unions and wider industries to develop a more detailed understanding of the impact of strike activity and how minimum service levels might be applied for passenger rail to reduce the disruptions caused by strikes. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, and the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill receiving Royal Assent, minimum service levels for passenger rail would then be delivered through regulations.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence Votes A Annual Estimate 2023-24.

Baroness Goldie: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. The Ministry of Defence Votes A Estimate 2023-24, will be laid before the House on 21 February 2023 as HC 1036. This outlines the maximum numbers of personnel to be maintained for each Service in the Armed Forces during Financial Year 2023-24, including increases for Reserve Naval and Marines Forces, and a decrease for Army Regulars and Army Reserve (as well as Army Regular Reserve). Full details can be found in the publication. These numbers do not constitute the Strength of the Armed Forces, which is published separately in the UK Armed Forces Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics.Ministry of Defence Votes A Annual Estimate (pdf, 2743.0KB)

Department of Health and Social Care

NHS Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescriptions

Lord Markham: My Hon friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy) and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Women) (Maria Caulfield) has made the following Written Statement:Around 400,000 women enter the menopause each year in the UK. Around three quarters of women will experience menopause symptoms, and around a quarter of women will experience severe symptoms. Symptoms can affect a person’s physical and mental health as well as their participation in the workplace and personal lives. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the main treatment for menopause symptoms. Around 15% of women aged 45-64 in England are currently prescribed HRT, this has increased rapidly in the last two years from around 11% and continues to increase. To ensure that women can access the treatment they need, this Government made a commitment to reduce the cost of HRT prescriptions for menopausal women. I am pleased to announce today that from 1 April 2023 women will be able to apply for a HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate (HRT PPC). The HRT PPC will cost the equivalent of two single prescription charges, currently £18.70 and will be valid for 12 months. The HRT PPC can be used against a list of HRT prescription items, and a patient can use this against an unlimited number of HRT items during its validity. The HRT PPC will offer savings to patients currently paying for their HRT medicines through individual charges, and for many patients the HRT PPC will also be more cost effective than a 3- or 12-month PPC if they only require HRT medicines.It is estimated that the HRT PPC will benefit approximately 400,000 patients who do not qualify for an existing prescription charge exemption. Menopause is a priority area within the Women’s Health Strategy for England. The strategy was published last summer and sets out an ambitious new agenda for improving the health and wellbeing of women and girls and improving how the health and care system listens to women. The introduction of the HRT PPC delivers one of our year one priorities for the Women’s Health Strategy for England. Reducing the cost of HRT medicines is just one part of our ongoing programme of work to improve support for menopause and access to HRT. The Government has accepted the recommendations of the HRT Taskforce, including encouraging and supporting manufacturers to boost supply to meet growing demand and continuing to issue Serious Shortages Protocols when needed. The Department closely monitors the supply of HRT and regularly meets with individual suppliers, as well as hosting quarterly roundtables with industry to ensure a continuous supply of HRT. The NHS England National Menopause Care Improvement Programme is improving clinical care for menopause and training for healthcare professionals, and we are also working across Government and with employers to improve workplace support, and boosting menopause research and evidence.